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Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

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Page 1: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?
Page 2: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Polar Bear ResearchPolar Bear ResearchWhyWhy do scientists study polar bears? do scientists study polar bears?

Page 3: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The Polar BearThe Polar Bear• Perfectly adapted to

the arctic sea ice• Relies upon sea ice

for critical aspects of its life history— feeding, finding mates, and giving birth

Page 4: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

WhatWhat Are Scientists Studying? Are Scientists Studying?• Population Dynamics of Polar Bears Population Dynamics of Polar Bears

o Population sizeo Reproduction o Survival rates

• How Polar Bears Use their Habitat How Polar Bears Use their Habitat

• Physical Condition of the Polar BearsPhysical Condition of the Polar Bears

Page 5: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

• Capture-recapture Method:Capture-recapture Method:Provides data on population dynamics

• Gathering Physiological & Biological Data:Gathering Physiological & Biological Data:Documents the physical condition of the bears

• GPS Collar Tracking:GPS Collar Tracking:Shows how polar bears use their habitat

HowHow Are Scientists Are ScientistsStudying Polar Bears?Studying Polar Bears?

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Page 6: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

How To Study Polar BearsHow To Study Polar Bears

Step-by-Step

Page 7: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Step 1: Find the polar bearStep 1: Find the polar bear

• Tracks• Leads or areas of

open water or thin ice where seals have breathing holes

What does the team look for?What does the team look for?

• Pressure ridges (ridges of ice) that bears follow as they travel

Page 8: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Can you see the Can you see the polar bear? polar bear?

TracksTracks

Pressure RidgePressure Ridge

Page 9: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Step 2: ApproachStep 2: ApproachWhen a bear is spotted the When a bear is spotted the team confirms:team confirms:

•A safe place to land the helicopter•That there are no other polar bears in the area (for the safety of the scientists and the polar bear)•That there is no place where the polar bear could run and potentially get hurt

Page 10: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Step 3: Darting the polar bearStep 3: Darting the polar bear

This takes skill on the This takes skill on the part of the helicopter part of the helicopter pilot and the scientistpilot and the scientist

Page 11: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Step 4: Approaching with cautionStep 4: Approaching with caution

Page 12: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Step 5: Collecting all possible dataStep 5: Collecting all possible data

• Time and efficiency are of the essenceTime and efficiency are of the essence• Data is collected from head to toeData is collected from head to toe

Page 13: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

What Do Scientists LearnWhat Do Scientists LearnFrom Their Research?From Their Research?

Page 14: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Long-term Data CollectionLong-term Data Collection

• Collaring & Tracking Bears

Page 15: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Automated collar release

VHF antenna

GPS antenna

ARGOS antenna

Page 16: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Learning from the DataLearning from the Data

Page 17: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

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&& #Y

#Y(X#Y

(X(X(X

Halloween '99

May 9 '98

#

Denned in Angun RiverWinter 98 - Spring 99

Jan 09

Nov 14 '99

Feb 26

Aug 22 '99

Jul 26 '98

Aug 23 '98

Sep 13 '98

Oct 11 '98

NewYear's 2000

Captured Apr 16 '98Given RadioJun 6 '98

Captured Apr 12 '79

Captured Nov 5 '97

0 50 100 150 200 250 Miles

71°

71°

76°

76°

166°

156°

156°

146°

146°

136°

136°

126°

126°

116°

116°

21 year old adult female was 400 pounds in Aprilof 1998 after spending the winter in a den.She was first captured as a yearling with her brotherand 9 year old mother in the McKenzie River Delta.

Polar Bear 5809: Movements and Observations

#Y

#S

CaptureObservation

Movements Determined by Satelite Tracking

Areaof

Map

Wild polar bears are the most mobile of non-aquatic mammals. Wild polar bears are the most mobile of non-aquatic mammals. As with other species, scientists have used radio telemetry to As with other species, scientists have used radio telemetry to

follow their movements in order to gather information that can follow their movements in order to gather information that can be used to more effectively manage them.be used to more effectively manage them.

Page 18: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

What does it takeWhat does it taketo study polar bears?to study polar bears?

Background and Behind the Scenesof Polar Bear Research

Page 19: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Working in the Arctic = Extreme EnvironmentWorking in the Arctic = Extreme Environment

• Sea IceSea Iceo Variable size, shape,

thickness, amounto Always moving and

changing

• Sea IceSea Iceo Variable size, shape,

thickness, amounto Always moving and

changing

Page 20: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Near Kaktovik, Alaska the mean average Near Kaktovik, Alaska the mean average temperature during the research season temperature during the research season can be 10-20°F (without wind chill)can be 10-20°F (without wind chill)

• Weather:Weather:

Page 21: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The Scientist in AlaskaThe Scientist in Alaska“After observing and capturing hundreds of polar bears over a 30-year career … the first bear sighting of every field season still invokes a feeling of ‘Wow! There’s a real wild polar bear!’ I will never lose the sense of awe they inspire.”

Dr. Steven C. Amstrup

Page 22: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The Scientist in CanadaThe Scientist in Canada“I became a polar bear researcher because I wanted to do my part to help conserve the animals that are struggling with the effects of a changing environment due to human activities. By studying polar bears, I am contributing to our knowledge about them and helping to make sure that they persist for many generations to come. It's a very fun and satisfying job!”

Alysa McCall, MSc in Ecology,University of Alberta

Page 23: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The PhotographerThe Photographer

“I enjoy being the explorer as well as the photographer. For me photography of the natural world is more than just pretty settings and cuddly animal pictures. It’s a concern for the environment and the earth all living creatures must share.”

Daniel J. Cox

Page 24: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The People Behind the ScenesThe People Behind the Scenes

• Careful checklists Careful checklists • Tools that have been Tools that have been

tested and retestedtested and retested• Well-organized Well-organized

equipmentequipment• Individuals who are Individuals who are

skilled at problem-skilled at problem-solving, have a can-do solving, have a can-do spirit, and can do it all!spirit, and can do it all!

What does it take to get ready for fieldwork in the North? What does it take to get ready for fieldwork in the North?

Page 25: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

The Gear Behind the ScenesThe Gear Behind the Scenes

Tools are needed for:Tools are needed for:•SafetySafety•ResearchResearch•Back-up suppliesBack-up supplies•StorageStorage

Page 26: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

Not everyone can study polar bears…but we can ALL Not everyone can study polar bears…but we can ALL help polar bears and their arctic habitat!help polar bears and their arctic habitat!

Page 27: Polar Bear Research Why do scientists study polar bears?

© 2013 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved. Marks and text appearing in this presentation including, but not limited to, the Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.

On behalf of polar bears everywhere, On behalf of polar bears everywhere, PBI thanks you!PBI thanks you!

Photos: © Daniel J. Cox / www.NaturalExposures.com unless noted.


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